Underwaist



(N0 men I M. E. HIGGINS V UNDBRWAIST; No. 288,803. "Patented Nov. 20, 1883.

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UNITED STATES PATENT FFICEO MARY E. HIGGINS, OF CADILLAC, MICHIGAN.

UNDERYVAIST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 288,803, dated November 20, 1883,

Application filed October 1'1, 1883. (N0 model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be itknown that I, MARY E. HIGGINS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cadillac, in the county of Wexford and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and'useful Improvements in Underwaists, of which the following is a description. 1

My invention relates to certain improvements inunderwaists, designed more particularly for children, but applicable also to corsets for the use of adults; and it consists in the combination, with the'underwaist or corset, of a pendent flap-piece on each side, provided with attachment for connecting with and supporting the hose, which flap-piece connects with-the underwaist upon its inside, and at or near the waist-line, or at a point between the waist-line and the armhole, whereby the ten sion of the hose-supports isnot allowed to cramp, bind, or interfere with the freedom of the lower part of thewaist and the skirts as they hang thereon.

It also consists in the combination, with the nnderwaist or corset, of hip-pads arranged upon the outside of the waist, and permanently attached thereto, and bearing points or hooks that receive and hold the skirts, and thus avoid the necessity for tightbancls for the skirts, and also relieve pressure upon the hips, all as hereinafter more fully described.

Figure 1 is an inside view of the underwaist or corset with the two halves laid open. Fi g. 2 is a rear view of the same when closed, and Fig. 3 is a cross-section through one of the hip-pads.

In the drawings,A A represent the tw halves of the underwaist or corset, which may be adj ustably fastened at front and back, but which are, as best adapted for children, fastened by a lacingcord and eyelets, a, infront, and by buttons and button-holes b at the back.

B B are pendent flaps, one of which is attached to each half of the underwaist or corset, upon the inside of the same, and has attachments for the hose-supports at its lower end.

This flap is connected to the inside of asto form a part of the waist or corset. This flap may, however, be made fast to the waist or corset, either a little above or a little below the waistline; but it is essential that it should be connected to the waist or corset, upon the inside of the same, and at a point under the shoulder'straps or armholes.

I am aware that flappieces have been attached to under-garments upon the outside, and also at the extreme lower edge; but this isobjectionable for the reason that the movement of the lower limbs causes the flap-pieces, when thus arranged, to cramp and bind against the lower edge of the waist and the skirts which are attached to it, and this not only restricts the freedom of movement in the lower limbs in bending or steeping, but renders the rest of the garment uncomfortable and awkward to the wearer. By attaching these pendent flaps or hose-supports to the inside of the waist or corset and between the armholes and lower edge, these flaps have an in dividual freedom of movement which notonly gives them the easiest play, but avoids interference with the shirts, which are fastened upon the outer edge of the waist or corset. These flap-pieces B, it will be seen, furthermore have a broad connection with the corset at their upper edge or point of attachment, which distributes the strain and prevents the drawing and puckering of the waist and the rolling of the garment between the waist and the body of the person from the motion of the flap and the weight thereon.

To sustain the shirts, I propose for children to employ buttons d near the lower edge of the waist and upon the outside; but when the garment is made in the form of a corset for an adult I construct hip-pads O, which are permanently attached to the halves of the corset at a point just below the waistline and over each hip, which hippads have embodied in their structure and suitably protected by stuffing the points or hooks e, fastened to plate c, embedded within the stuffing. hen the shirt-band is fastened around the waist, these hooks or points catch in the shirts, and, with the pad, sustain the weight of the skirt with out the necessity of drawing the band tightly about the waist.

I am aware that a pad in the form of a bustle has been attached to a corset, and I do not claim this, but only the hip-pads with points, hooks, or'fastenings for sustaining the skirts.

In still further defining my invention, with respect to the flap-pieces B, I would state that I am aware of Patent No. 163,4? 3; but in this case the straps are for sustaining the skirts, and not the hose. They are not beneath the armholes, but are in front and rear. They are attached, practically, at the lower edge of the corset, and, besides, they are not flap-pieces, but straps of equal transverse dimensions, which do not have a broad connection with the corset or waist.

Having thus described my invention ,what I claim as new, and wish to secure by Letters Patent, is-

' 1. The combination, with an underwaist or corset, of pendent flap-pieces for supporting the hose attached to the inside of said waist or corset at a point near or above the waist-line and under the armholes, and having a broad connection at their upper edges with the uncorset, of hip-pads provided with points or hooks for sustaining the skirts, as set forth.

3. As a new article of manufacture, an underwaist or corset having hosesupporting flaps B upon the inside, and hip-pads pro vided with points or equivalent skirt-supporting devices on the outside of the same, as and for the purpose described.

MARY E. HIGGINS.

' \Vitnesses:

Enwn. W. BYRN, SoLoN O. KEMON. 

